"Whole Foods Coming to Newark"

As
Cory Booker's
term as mayor potentially draws to a close, he can finally claim
victory in a very personal battle: His city is getting a
Whole Foods.

The specialty grocer is slated to announce Thursday that it has signed a lease to open a 29,000-square-foot store in the heart of the city's downtown.

For Mr. Booker, a vegetarian and foodie who began courting the chain soon after his inauguration in 2006, the store helps fulfill a promise to bring more fresh food to the city. He called and texted Whole Foods executives for years while pursuing the grocer, and mentioned his love of the chain on the city's WBGO radio station.